Kabul's Singing Sensation by Tim McGirk

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Transcript of Kabul's Singing Sensation by Tim McGirk

Kabul's Singing Sensation by Tim McGirkIslamic Traditions and CustomsOne-fifth of the world's population is Muslim. There are approximately 30 million Muslims in Afghanistan.Ramadan is the holiest month in the Muslim calendar. According to Muslim belief, the holy book of God , the Quran, was revealed in the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, observant Muslims fast from dawn until sunset every day, practice acts of charity, and refrain from gossip and other negative behaviors. The Quran provides instruction for every detail of a Muslim's daily life.Islam is the Arabic word for submission to the will of God (Allah). Turbulent TimesThe late 20th century saw years of civil unrest in Afghanistan, a landlocked country in Southern Asia. The Taliban, a violent Muslim extremist group, captured control of the country in the 1990s. The group imposed strict rules on the Afghan people , based on its extreme interpretation of Islam. Under the Taliban's rule, Afghan girls lost their right to an education, art and sports were outlawed, and even music was banned. Those who violated the Taliban's rules were often brutally punished. The Taliban fell out of power after a 2001 invasion by the United States and its allies. A new government was created, and people in certain parts of the country again enjoyed some of the freedoms they had missed for years. What if?What if singing were banned in this country?How would you react to this decision? What risks would you be willing to take to preserve music?Consider how Mirwais and his family reacted to life under the Taliban as you answer these questions.